How PrideSoc curated their latest exhibition
This November, the University of Edinburgh’s LGBTQ+ Society (PrideSoc) is showcasing queer artists from across the globe in the Chaplaincy Auditorium’s exhibition space.
The idea for the exhibition began with an informal conversation between Dr Rev Urzula Glienecke and Poppy Watson (PrideSoc President 2025/2026). They were chatting about the large exhibition space and how incredible it would be to fill it with queer art. Poppy brought the idea to the PrideSoc Secretary and Vice President, Maude, who loved it—and from there, the exhibition took shape.
They received nearly 40 submissions from around the world, and the exhibition features 32 final pieces ranging across poetry, sculpture, embroidery, clothing, digital works, and painting. The exhibition provides queer and trans students, alumni, and community members with a dedicated space to showcase their creativity in an environment that embraces their identities and values their voices.
Queer artists often face barriers when displaying their work—whether due to limited opportunities, fear of discrimination, or being the only queer person in a space. Reframing Gender creates a space where queerness and transness are centred and celebrated rather than sidelined. Queer art is beautiful, it is essential, and it is a radical form of resistance. PrideSoc chose to run the exhibition throughout November to coincide with Trans Day of Remembrance on 20 November—both to honour and remember trans lives lost, and to celebrate the beauty, strength, and resilience of trans and queer communities worldwide.
The exhibition’s curation was led by the wonderful team of: Theo Murphy, Adrian Graham, Jean Anderson, Eilidh Cooper, and Maude Pickersgill.
The exhibition is open until 28 November 2025, at the University of Edinburgh Chaplaincy Auditorium.
“2020.06.13 Protest for Trans Rights, Washington, DC USA 165 47025” by tedeytan is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.